At the state funeral for the eight Ghanaians who perished in the August 6 military helicopter crash, Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah, widow of the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, offered a moving tribute that left many in solemn reflection.
Speaking through a message read on her behalf at Black Star Square on Friday, August 15, she recalled a question her husband often asked but one she could never bring herself to answer: “Abena Rita, what will you do when I am not around?”
“I never answered you, and till today I don’t have an answer,” she admitted, her words carrying the weight of loss.
Mrs. Omane Boamah took mourners back to their first encounter, on a medical school bus, despite her not being a medical student, describing the years that followed as a journey steeped in affection, shared laughter, and evening walks under the stars.
She portrayed the late Defence Minister not only as a dedicated public servant but also as a “loving and perfect father” who somehow managed to balance the demands of medicine, politics, and family.
“Despite your busy schedule, you either bathed the children every morning or dressed them while I bathed them. You were their favourite teacher, knowing their syllabus back to back and making time for both study and play,” she recalled.
With quiet resolve, she promised to continue caring for their loved ones: “I will, with God’s help, take care of mummy and our three kids, knowing you will be looking down on us from the heavens.”
Her final words were a tender farewell: “Kofi B, thank you for loving me, thank you for loving the children, thank you for loving my family and all who came to know you. Rest in power, my love.”
Dr. Omane Boamah died alongside Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; and crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Watch the tribute by Dr. Omane Boamah’s family below.
